Whether the DTV transition will actually happen on February 17th is pretty much anyone’s guess. Just recently the Senate unanimously passed the so-called DTV Delay Act which will allows television stations to continue broadcasting analog signals until the new deadline of June 12th. So it looked like the DTV transition date was going to be pushed back yet again, right? But not so fast young grasshopper.{ad}

The House of Representatives has failed to pass the measure on to the floor for debate on a vote of 258 to 168 – lacking the two-thirds necessary to keep the bill alive. So at least for the moment, it appears the DTV deadline is still set for February 17th. Would I bet my life savings on that? No way! The DTV Delay measure could still be brought up again for a House vote just as it happened in the Senate where the proposed delay was initially shot down by opponents there as well and then passed.

And while I am mentioning opponents of this bill, their sentiment is that delaying the DTV transition even further would cause more confusion among consumers. It would also force television stations to continue to spend money on broadcasting signals in both digital and analog. Proponents of pushing the DTV transition back to June claim that millions of households (6.5 million households according to Neilsen reports) would be left without television if the transition occurs as scheduled.

Doug’s Opinion
Unless you live under a rock, you cannot say that people with TVs have not had plenty of time to prepare for the DTV switch. Delaying the transition even further will just give people more reason to procrastinate. I mean sure – let’s try to fund the digital converter box coupon program again so people can afford a converter box who normally can’t, but let the switch happen in February.

It’s not like people are being denied food, water, or the air they breathe. It’s television for crying out loud! And if they care about that little box so much, one would think they would have jumped on the chance to get a converter before the deadline. Sadly there are some TV owners who didn’t jump and now have to face the prospect of having to listen to the radio or pick up a book. and with some of the new shows coming out as of late, losing a TV signal might actually be doing some of them a favor.

Like I’ve said before if you know someone who has an analog TV and can’t afford to switch to satellite or cable, buy them a converter as a present. Besides, chances are they may also need help installing it and you could show off your geek side by offering to hook it up or them.

Reader Comments

NYC Architect

This is bullshit. Complete. total. utter. The coupons expired after 6 months of issue. Many folks showed up at stores that didn’t have any boxes- had to wait- and now can’t get one. The program has now run out of money- the wait list for coupons now is well over 2 million. The $40 doesn’t even cover the full cost of the $50 to $60 box. And even should you finally get one and hook it up- there are all kinds of problems with even getting a proper signal- if you can get any signal at all.
Not everybody can afford cable TV- or even the 10 bucks to cover the defecit of the coupon’s shortfall. Complete total and utter bullshit. AND the Republicans are the ones who blocked the delay. It figures- they think eveyone is rich.

Frank

If you can’t afford the $10, go mow a lawn or something… TV is not your right as an American. Get off your butt and earn some money to get the TV you so desperately need. I’m already pissed that my tax $$ have to pay for your TV enjoyment.
I would rather give my millions of tax $ to help cure AIDS than help you sit on your butt…

hodar

Re: NYC Architect

Please show me where the Constitution says that everyone has the ‘right’ to receive TV. Why do you insist that someone put a gun to my head, and take my money away from me to give it to someone else, so they have have access to a non-essential service? TV is a lifeSTYLE not a service essential for life (like food, medical aide, fire, police and emergency services).

The notice that this change-over was given over 3 years ago. Exactly how much time do people need? Are you saying that in a period of 3 years, consumers could not save $40 to buy their own TV box? Whatever happened to ” personal responsibility “. This is the main difference between Liberals and Conservatives. The Conservatives believe that they are the best ones to chose what they need to be happy, they work hard, they believe in self-reliance and individual responsibilty.

The Liberals believe that the gov’t knows best, that the individual is too stupid to make these decisions. The liberals are the one’s who believe in elitism, and feel it is their responsibity to take from others who produce, so they can reward the non-producers and make them dependant upon the liberals for political gain. Then the Liberals spread obvious lies – such as ‘Rich Republicans’. Hey … silly question? What party do the richest americans belong to? Bill Gates, 90+% of Hollywood, Warren Buffet, Oprah, Rosie O’Donnel and 90+% of the uber-wealthy? Democrats.

Look at the Red/Blue maps of the USA – you will see that the heartland of the country is overwhelmingly Republican (hard working farmers and small business owners). Meanwhile the major cities tend to be Democratic. Just a coincidence?

kev_a_swing_dancer

Re:Hodar
I went looking for backup on my idea that taking away analog TV was like taking away the nations roadways and leaving people with vehicles that would not run on the new monorails.
Then I realized that a major source of revenue for the U.S. comes from the broadcaster side of the switch. It is in the public interest to have such large amounts of money changing hands when a cut goes to taxes.
And so I thought “what part of the GNP is toy sales?”. Well, it turns out that toys are made in China these days.
Then I stumbled on this quote by Robert F. Kennedy in 1968; it refers to the GNP (gross national product):
“Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product … if we should judge America by that – counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for those who break them. It counts the destruction of our redwoods and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and the cost of a nuclear warhead, and armored cars for police who fight riots in our streets. It counts Whitman’s rifle and Speck’s knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children.”Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it tells us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans.”

http://www.slimfastcoupons.org Nancy

I’m afraid I have to agree with Frank. Who can’t afford $10 for Christs sake? I mean really. If you can’t afford $10, you probably shouldn’t even have a TV to begin with.